'Michigan Listens': Finding common ground through storytelling

November 11, 2025 (Volume 49, Number 6)
Article by Michele Coffill

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Community. Faith. Belonging. Resilience. Integrity.

Michiganders from all regions of the state spoke of those values, and more, during a unique event November 5 sponsored by Grand Valley's Talking Together partners: Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, WGVU Public Media and Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse.

Nine diverse speakers, including GVSU senior Noah Prysock, were selected by the partners to speak at "Michigan Listens" about what they value and why. Their brief presentations wove stories of Michigan's farming communities, Native American tribes, auto industry, education system and health care.

President Philomena V. Mantella learned of this event from one of the REP4 partners, Boise State University, and said she felt inspired to bring a similar event to Grand Valley.

"We live in a time when polarization often feels like the default setting, when shouting seems louder than understanding and where difference is too often treated as danger," Mantella said. "But today, we choose a different path. Today, we choose to listen."

Guests from Boise State University attended the event in the Eberhard Center. Andrew Finstuen, dean of the Honors College and associate vice president for Strategic Planning and Special Initiatives, called it a wonderful collaboration.

"Grand Valley welcomed the idea of integrating our Idaho Listens project into their already extensive and excellent work in civic engagement and dialogue," Finstuen said. "Together, we are advancing a larger vision for America Listens, an initiative to spread the power of reverent listening to Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life."

Kyle Kooyers, director of operations for the Kaufman Interfaith Institute, said each speaker told a story about their lived values that show up in their work and how they treat their family members and neighbors.

"As institutions of learning, universities have a unique opportunity to present the ideals and values of the American people as information, not politics," Kooyers said. "We can use our classrooms and auditoriums to educate ourselves about a multitude of viewpoints, and most importantly, each other, despite popular narratives that point to singular outlooks and ideologies."

WGVU Public Media recorded the nine "Michigan Listens" speakers. Watch their presentations on the Talking Together website.

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